A prehistoric stone circle nestled within England’s Lake District National Park may have been erected some 700 years before the iconic Stonehenge monument, proposes archaeologist Steve Dickinson. Castlerigg Stone Circle, situated in Cumbria, has drawn tourists since the 18th century and received state protection in 1883.

The Castlerigg Standing Stones. Credit: Graham Richter

According to Newsweek, Dickinson’s recent research suggests that part of the circle, known as the “Sanctuary,” mirrors small Neolithic structures found in Ireland and Yorkshire, originally constructed with timber around 3700 BCE. This could potentially place Castlerigg among the earliest stone circles in northwest Europe, predating Stonehenge’s initial phase by centuries.

Radiocarbon dating of similar timber structures indicates their usage from 3730-3600 BCE, supporting Dickinson’s proposal. His findings imply that Castlerigg’s origins are deeply rooted in the early Neolithic period, characterized by complex rituals and mᴀss gatherings.

Moreover, recent archaeological discoveries, including mᴀssive earthen and timber enclosures in coastal southwest Cumbria, suggest connections to sites in Ireland’s Boyne Valley. These findings hint at a shared cultural landscape and rituals, possibly involving the veneration and distribution of stone axes quarried from England’s central fells, notably Scafell Pike.

Credit: Nick Woolley / Wikimedia Common

According to Dickinson, Scafell Pike’s remoteness and challenges in acquiring axe stone may have rendered it sacred to Neolithic communities in Britain and Ireland. These discoveries not only shed light on ancient rituals but also challenge existing perceptions of the Neolithic era, marking the arrival of the first farmers amid a warming climate.

Furthermore, the upcoming Castlerigg Connections festival in Keswick potentially revolutionize our understanding of prehistoric monuments and the Neolithic period.